Zach Galifianakis, Vampire Weekend Headline "SNL"

"Hangover" star makes hosting debut

Receive the latest television updates in your inbox

Zach Galifianakis prepped for "Saturday Night Live" like any host should -- by "Febreze-ing" his beard.

Updated at 10:28 AM CDT on Sunday, Mar 7, 2010

Zach Galifianakis prepped for "Saturday Night Live" like any host should -- by "Febreze-ing" his beard.

The comedian made his "SNL" debut Saturday alongside rock band Vampire Weekend, bringing a dose of slapstick, goofy humor to an episode that also included a guest appearance by Paul Rudd and a spot-on Kenan Thompson parody of likely Oscar winner Mo'Nique.

"SNL" Highlights: The New Season

Galifianakis opened the show with a monologue that saw him accompany himself on the piano as he cracked jokes about everything from Disney shows to Brooklyn, also inserting a cheesy quip about the Canadian metric system that would've tanked had it not been for Galifianakis' impeccable delivery.

"Excuse me, I've been in Canada, opening up for Miles Davis -- Kilometers Davis," Galifianakis joked.

Top Entertainment Photos

"Sometimes I'll do something, and I'll think to myself, that is so Raven," he said. "And then other times, I'll do something and think, that is not very Raven," he deadpanned.

Oscar Fashion Faux Pas of the Past

He also didn't shy away from self-deprecating digs, joking that he was "a Pilates freak -- and by Pilates I mean waffles" while also calling his look both "Wolf Blitzer at Burning Man" and "homeless professor." His pre-show routine, according to the monologue? Dosing his beard with a healthy amount of Febreze.

Galifianakis also made appearances in several "SNL" sketches, including a bit called "Zach Galifianakis: On TV for Over 30 Years," which featured the comedian lurking in the background of NBC mainstays including "Law and Order," "30 Rock" and "Dr. Oz." Galifianakis also popped up behind anchor Brian Williams during a taping of "NBC Nightly News."

The skit continued with a sketch about "Today Show" hosts Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford, which starred Galifianakis alongside Kristen Wiig, who played the drunken Gifford.

Galifianakis ended the show with a short about beauty-pageant contestants, which saw him play a male version of a pageant queen.

Actor Paul Rudd made a guest appearance in Kenan Thompson's game-show parody "What's Up With That?," a bit that also featured a cameo by New York Times culture writer Frank Rich. Thompson also shone in "Weekend Update," where he portrayed Oscar favorite Mo'Nique, nominated for her turn in "Precious."

Vampire Weekend played two songs, "Cousins" and "Giving Up the Gun," during the show.

Next week's episode will feature host Jude Law and musical guest Pearl Jam.